Welcome to Live From Mars, the ultimate podcast for pop music enthusiasts! Hosted by Alex, known as @vinylbymars, Live From Mars dives deep into the latest hits, hidden gems, and trending music industry news from the pop universe. Each episode blends Alex’s bold opinions, expert album reviews, artist deep dives, and insightful industry commentary to deliver a fresh, authentic take on today’s music scene. From chart-topping singles to underrated tracks, Alex brings listeners along for the ride, creating a space where music lovers can connect, discover new favorites, and explore the stories behind the sounds.
Every episode finds Alex and a mix of music creators, journalists, and songwriters dissecting current releases, exploring music trends, and sharing must-hear recommendations to elevate your playlist. Whether you’re here for the artist rankings, exclusive guest interviews, or to catch the latest music news, Live From Mars promises a pop music experience that keeps you coming back for more.
Tune in, turn it up, and let’s take off—straight from Mars to your headphones!
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Welcome to Live From Mars, the ultimate podcast for pop music enthusiasts! Hosted by Alex, known as @vinylbymars, Live From Mars dives deep into the latest hits, hidden gems, and trending music industry news from the pop universe. Each episode blends Alex’s bold opinions, expert album reviews, artist deep dives, and insightful industry commentary to deliver a fresh, authentic take on today’s music scene. From chart-topping singles to underrated tracks, Alex brings listeners along for the ride, creating a space where music lovers can connect, discover new favorites, and explore the stories behind the sounds.
Every episode finds Alex and a mix of music creators, journalists, and songwriters dissecting current releases, exploring music trends, and sharing must-hear recommendations to elevate your playlist. Whether you’re here for the artist rankings, exclusive guest interviews, or to catch the latest music news, Live From Mars promises a pop music experience that keeps you coming back for more.
Tune in, turn it up, and let’s take off—straight from Mars to your headphones!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Subscribe to my Substack for exclusive full album reactions, reviews, and bonus content: https://vinylbymars.substack.com
Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl has officially made history, selling over 4 million copies in the U.S. and 5.5 million worldwide. But did it actually live up to the hype?
In this week’s episode of Live From Mars, Alex is joined by fellow Swiftie and friend of the pod, Steven Sullivan (@stevensully1), to unpack your burning questions and hot takes about Taylor’s record-breaking twelfth studio album. Together, they revisit their original predictions, debate if the “showgirl” concept worked, and discuss where Taylor goes next.
We cover everything:
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
03:48 - Steven returns
04:18 - Did we actually like Showgirl?
10:20 - Album highs and lows
17:50 - The “Showgirl” concept debate
25:30 - Writing and production discussion
36:10 - Did it come too soon or too late?
47:20 - “Wood” and Sabrina Carpenter
50:20 - Grammy predictions
53:59 - Final thoughts
Follow Alex:
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@vinylbymars
Instagram: https://instagram.com/vinylbymars
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@vinylbymars
Substack: https://vinylbymars.substack.com
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/vinylbymars
To provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey
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Subscribe to my Substack for exclusive full album reactions, reviews, and bonus content: https://vinylbymars.substack.com
Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl is finally here, and it’s already breaking every record in sight. But does it actually live up to the hype?
In this week’s episode of Live From Mars, Alex is joined by a friend of the pod and resident Swiftie, Seth (@dramakingbooks), to unpack Taylor’s twelfth studio album in full. Together, they break down how Showgirl stacks up against past eras, if the reunion with Max Martin and Shellback delivers, and why fans are so divided over the album.
We cover everything:
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
04:00 - First impressions and expectations
09:30 - Marketing vs. album reality
17:00 - Track-by-track: “The Fate of Ophelia,” “Elizabeth Taylor,” “Opalite,” “Father Figure,” “Eldest Daughter,” and more
55:00 - Final rankings and where Taylor goes next
Follow Alex:
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I’m now live on Substack! Every week, I’m sharing two pop music newsletters, exclusive album reactions and written reviews, early access to all YouTube reactions, and so much more. Check it out at https://vinylbymars.substack.com/.
Taylor Swift’s twelfth album The Life of a Showgirl is days away. In this episode of Live From Mars, Alex is joined by Swiftie creator Steven Sullivan to map out Taylor’s road to this era, what the Max Martin and Shellback reunion could mean, and why this release feels pivotal after The Tortured Poets Department.
We cover everything:
• Why Showgirl feels like a true reset after the Eras Tour and TTPD
• What to expect from the Max Martin and Shellback partnership
• Our hopes, fears, and bold predictions for the album
• Vinyl variants, rollout choices, and how fans are reacting
• First-week sales projections and awards outlook
• What success looks like for the lead single and the album overall
If you’re a Taylor Swift fan, you don’t want to miss this conversation.
Chapters:
00:00 — Intro + why this era feels pivotal
02:41 — Meet the guest: Steven Sullivan
05:40 — Post-Eras context and how TTPD shaped expectations
11:30 — Max Martin & Shellback: what the reunion signals
18:30 — Rollout talk: variants, promo, and strategy
34:20 — Fanbase sentiment and expectations
35:50 — Hopes, fears, bold predictions
43:50 — First-week sales projections
46:20 — Final thoughts + what comes next
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylbymars
Instagram: http://instagram.com/vinylbymars
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@vinylbymars
LFM: https://linktr.ee/livefrommarspod
Substack: https://vinylbymars.substack.com/
To provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey
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I'm now live on Substack! Every week, I'm sharing two pop music newsletters, exclusive album reactions and written reviews, early access to all YouTube reactions, and so much more. Check it out at https://vinylbymars.substack.com/.
Sabrina Carpenter’s seventh album Man’s Best Friend is here — just one year after Short n’ Sweet. In this episode of Live From Mars, Alex is joined by Sabrina superfan and resident expert Nick Palmai to break down the album track-by-track.
We cover everything:
• How Man’s Best Friend compares to Short n’ Sweet
• Our first reactions and favorite tracks (“Tears,” “House Tour,” “When Did You Get Hot?”)
• The hits, misses, and standout lyrics
• Whether this album came too soon after Sabrina’s breakout era
• Predictions for first-week numbers, surprise singles, and what comes next
If you’re a Sabrina Carpenter fan, you don’t want to miss this deep dive.
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylbymars
Instagram: http://instagram.com/vinylbymars
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@vinylbymars
LFM: https://linktr.ee/livefrommarspod
Substack: https://vinylbymars.substack.com/
To provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey
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Taylor Swift has officially announced her 12th studio album The Life of a Showgirl and I’m breaking down everything we know so far. From her surprise New Heights podcast appearance to the visuals and tracklist to the long-awaited reunion with Max Martin and Shellback, this episode dives into why TS12 feels like a turning point in her career.
I’ll also cover the Sabrina Carpenter feature, whether this is a return to 1989-style pop or a brand-new reinvention, and answer your fan-submitted questions about the sound, singles, deluxe editions, and if Taylor will tour again.
Plus, I’m officially launching my Substack. Free subscribers get my Now Spinning newsletter every Friday with New Music Friday highlights, while paid subscribers unlock full album reviews, uncut reaction videos, Twitch archives, exclusive interviews, and access to the Life on Mars Discord. Join at vinylbymars.substack.com.
Chapters:
0:00 -- Intro and Europe trip recap
1:35 -- My Substack announcement
7:36 -- Taylor’s "The Life of A Showgirl"
21:21 -- Answering Your Taylor Questions
To provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey
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We’re heading into August, which means the Grammy eligibility deadline is just around the corner. On this episode of Live From Mars, I’m breaking down the state of the 2026 Grammy race across the Big Four categories: Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist.
From frontrunners like Kendrick Lamar’s GNX and Lady Gaga’s Mayhem to under-the-radar picks like Miley Cyrus and Ravyn Lenae, I walk through who’s favored to win, who deserves to be in the conversation, and who might get snubbed. I also explain the confusing eligibility rules, talk about late entries like Sabrina Carpenter’s upcoming Man’s Best Friend, and yes — I address the Alex Warren situation.
Topics covered:
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro + Grammy eligibility timing
04:20 - Album of the Year: frontrunners, dark horses, and my pick
14:44 - Record of the Year: Kendrick, Gaga, Billie, and "APT"
19:35 - The Alex Warren beef explained
21:06 - Song of the Year: “Wildflower,” “Abracadabra,” and what’s eligible
24:47 - Best New Artist: Rosé, Addison Rae, Ravyn Lenae, and more
If you're into pop music, artist narratives, or just want to sound smart come Grammy night, this one’s for you.
Follow Mars:
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This week on Live From Mars, Alex is joined by returning guest Nick Palmai to unpack Justin Bieber’s surprise new album SWAG. From the rollout and first impressions to the features, lyrical content (or lack of it), and how this record fits into Bieber’s larger discography, they dive into everything. The album is cohesive, moody, and full of bold choices... some of which work, and some that definitely don’t.
Alex and Nick debate whether SWAG is a Journals spiritual sequel, a SZA-inspired vibe album, or just a chaotic mixtape in disguise. They also get into THAT Sexyy Red feature, the confusing interludes, the Michael Jackson and Usher comparisons, and why this era of Bieber might be his most interesting yet -- even if it's not his best.
Topics covered:
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro
01:28 – Welcoming Back Nick
08:50 – First Impressions of SWAG
16:50 – The Songwriting of SWAG
21:16 – Interludes, voice notes & filler tracks
28:59 – Today's Male Pop Stars
34:47 – Our Favorite Tracks
40:32 – SWAG's Lasting Impact
Follow me:
To provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey
To provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey
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This week on Live From Mars, Alex unpacks a massive week in pop music—from Lorde’s industrial new album Virgin, to wild moments at Glastonbury, Olivia Rodrigo album rumors, Beyoncé's floating car scare, and more. This episode combines a full review of Virgin with New Music Friday highlights and a breakdown of the week’s biggest music news.
Topics covered:
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro
01:31 – Lorde's Virgin Review
14:21 – New Music Friday Highlights
18:37 – Glastonbury 2025 Recap
25:41 – Olivia Rodrigo's 3rd Album
29:21 - Taylor Swift's Surprise Performance
31:14 – Beyoncé's "16 Carriages" Car Accident
32:15 – Sabrina Carpenter's New Album Cover
Follow me:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylbymars
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinylbymars
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vinylbymars
New Music Friday playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7fbLRhODukVyre2zTFMQG0?si=e9fcd379355647ae
To provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey
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This week on Live From Mars, Alex shares his picks for the best songs of 2025 (so far)—including bangers from Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, SZA, Ariana Grande, and more. Plus, a quick New Music Friday recap and the chaotic rollout of Sabrina Carpenter’s surprise new album Man's Best Friend.
Topics covered:
Timestamps:
00:00 — Intro + Catch Up
01:31 — New Music Friday Highlights
06:59 — Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend Controversy
13:15 — The Best Pop Songs of 2025 (So Far)
Follow & support the show:
Life on Mars (New Music Friday Playlist): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7fbLRhODukVyre2zTFMQG0?si=f39baf34c7754f2f
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0V8opmfEyH3U7MJSTrsHH6
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-from-mars/id1717556594
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vinylbymars
Follow Alex on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylbymars
Follow Alex on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinylbymars
To provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey
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This week on Live From Mars, Alex shares one of the wildest weeks in his pop music life: going record shopping with Joe Jonas, meeting Miley Cyrus, and seeing The Weeknd’s After Hours 'Til Dawn tour. Plus, a full breakdown of Addison Rae’s surprisingly strong debut album Addison, Sabrina Carpenter’s new single “Manchild,” and an in-depth conversation with Sony Music Publishing’s SVP of A&R and Survivor 48 castaway Thomas Krottinger. From Olivia Rodrigo’s publishing journey to how artists actually get paid, this episode covers it all.
Topics covered:
• Addison Rae’s debut album Addison — standout tracks and whether it lives up to the hype
• Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild” — is this another hit or just a viral detour?
• Behind the scenes of Alex’s interview and record store hang with Joe Jonas
• Meeting Miley Cyrus and the story behind “Pretend You’re God”
• Full concert recap of The Weeknd’s After Hours 'Til Dawn stadium tour
• Interview with Thomas Krottinger: Olivia Rodrigo’s early songwriting talent, how music publishing works, why the song is the most important part of the industry, how artist deals are structured, the importance of finding a good publishing partner, and how the business has shifted post-TikTok
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro & Wildest Week Ever
01:29 - Addison Rae Album Reaction
02:16 - Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild”
04:00 - Record Shopping w/ Joe Jonas
06:23 - Meeting Miley Cyrus
07:43 - The Weeknd Stadium Tour Recap
10:23 - Introducing Thomas Krottinger
14:36 - Music Publishing 101
20:14 - Signing Olivia Rodrigo
26:21 - The Future of the Music Industry
37:50 - Thomas' Survivor Experience
Follow & support the show:
• Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0V8opmfEyH3U7MJSTrsHH6
• Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-from-mars/id1721474129
• Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vinylbymars
• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinylbymars
• Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylbymars
To provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey
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This was one of the biggest music weeks in a long time. Taylor Swift now officially owns her masters—her first six albums are finally hers—and Miley Cyrus just dropped what I truly believe is the best album of her career. I break it all down in this week’s episode.
We get into the full Taylor masters timeline, the $360M deal, what this means for the re-records, and whether Reputation (TV) is actually off the table. Plus: my review of Something Beautiful, Lorde’s raw return, and Addison Rae proving she’s more than a TikTok star.
In this episode:
Chapters:
Find me on:
To provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey
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This week on Live From Mars, Alex (still recovering from a cold!) shares a full breakdown of Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour stop in NYC — from the visuals to the vocals, the weather chaos, and why Blue Ivy might’ve stolen the show. Plus, New Music Friday highlights from Renee Rapp, Joe Jonas, and Julia Michaels.
Topics covered:
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro & Welcome Back
01:22 - Reneé Rapp's "Leave Me Alone"
04:19 - Joe Jonas' Return
07:15 - Julia Michaels' New EP
09:34 - Cowboy Carter Dominates
17:22 - Wrap Up & Sneak Peek
Follow & support the show:
🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5QjD6rq8H6XnF4BvMFlYVb
🍎 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-from-mars/id1714282199
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vinylbymars
📸 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinylbymars
🎵 Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylbymars
To provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey
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This week on Live From Mars, I’m diving into a packed New Music Friday featuring Miley Cyrus, The Weeknd, and Calvin Harris — plus, I take you inside the Something Beautiful visual album premiere hosted by Miley and Spotify.
Then I’m joined by fellow music content creator Nick Fry (@nicksmusictaste) for a chaotic and honest deep dive into the albums you called 10/10. We’re reviewing your favorite “no-skip” records and deciding which ones truly deserve the title.
Episode Highlights:
Chapters:
00:00 - Welcome + New Music Friday rundown
03:08 - Miley Cyrus Something Beautiful visual album experience & "More to Lose" reaction
06:55 - New music from Calvin Harris and The Weeknd
10:50 - Music news from Lorde and Renee Rapp
12:00 - Guest Nick Fry joins: Reviewing Your No-Skip, 10/10 Albums
44:15 - Final thoughts + where to find Nick online
💬 What’s your 10/10 album? Drop a comment or tag me on TikTok/IG @vinylbymars.
—
🎧 Follow Live From Mars on Spotify | Apple Podcasts
📲 Follow me: TikTok | Instagram | YouTube
⭐️ Like the pod? Leave a 5-star review — it helps a ton!
To provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey
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This week on Live From Mars, I’m breaking down Ed Sheeran’s nostalgic new single “Old Phone,” the issue with his long promo campaign, and why Maroon 5’s “Priceless” featuring LISA left me completely underwhelmed. Plus, Jorja Smith enters her rave era, and I share thoughts on the final leg of Charli XCX’s Brat Tour in Brooklyn—my first time seeing her live.
I also unpack the deluxe edition of Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco’s I Said I Loved You First, Lorde’s Virgin album reveal and streaming stats for “What Was That,” and why the Song of the Summer race feels unusually stale in 2025.
For the deep dive, we talk everything Lady Gaga and her record-breaking Copacabana Beach performance: the setlist, Brazilian cultural tributes, her evolving confidence since Coachella, and the massive post-show spike across her entire catalog.
Topics covered in this episode:
Chapters/Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome + What’s Coming This Episode
02:05 – Ed Sheeran’s “Old Phone” + Album Rollout
06:20 – Maroon 5’s “Priceless” ft. LISA
09:35 – Jorja Smith’s “The Way I Love You”
12:45 – Charli XCX’s BRAT Tour Finale (Brooklyn)
15:20 – Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco Deluxe Reactions
19:05 – Lorde’s “What Was That” + VIRGIN Announcement
21:30 – Song of the Summer 2025 Rundown
23:50 – Deep Dive: Lady Gaga at Copacabana Beach
26:10 – Final Thoughts + What’s Coming Next Week
Follow Live From Mars: https://linktr.ee/livefrommarspod
Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylbymars
Follow on Instagram: https://instagram.com/vinylbymars
Follow on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/abm0896
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This week on Live From Mars, we’re breaking down Lorde’s long-awaited return with her new single What Was That — how it fits into her discography, its early success, and why it has fans divided. Plus, I’m sharing quick reactions to other New Music Friday standouts including Benson Boone, Samia, and Joe Jonas.
Then for our deep dive, we explore how the touring landscape has shifted post-Eras Tour, including the early controversy around Katy Perry’s Lifetimes Tour, Sabrina Carpenter and Dua Lipa’s evolving strategies, and a critical look at Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour launch.
Where do pop concerts go from here — and is Beyoncé too legendary to be relatable?
Topics covered in this episode:
Chapters / Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome + Personal Intro (100K celebration)
01:30 – New Music Friday Intro
02:00 – Lorde’s What Was That Review
09:00 – Ranking Lorde’s Lead Singles
12:30 – New Music Friday Highlights (Joe Jonas, Benson Boone, Samia)
17:30 – Deep Dive: Touring After the Eras Tour
19:30 – Katy Perry’s Lifetimes Tour Critiques
22:00 – Sabrina Carpenter and Dua Lipa Touring Strategies
25:00 – Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour and Touring Reflection
Like what you hear?
Make sure you’re following Live From Mars on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen!
If you enjoyed the episode, leave a 5-star rating or review — it helps the show grow and keeps the conversations going.
Stay connected:
TikTok: @vinylbymars
Instagram: @vinylbymars
YouTube: VinylByMars
Spotify Playlists: Follow here
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One year later, we’re revisiting Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department in an unfiltered deep dive into its rollout, reception, and legacy. Was the double album drop a mistake? Which songs still hit hardest? And how does it stack up in Taylor’s discography today?
I’m joined by viral Swiftie and returning guest Nick Palmai (@nickpalmai) to break it all down — from our dream rollout (with trailers + music video concepts) to the songs we’ve grown to love (or skip). Whether you’re a die-hard Swiftie or still on the fence about TTPD, this episode has something for you.
We discuss:
Chapters:
00:00 — Intro & Nick returns
03:00 — What the release night felt like
06:30 — Has the album aged well?
10:15 — Our dream rollout strategy (and a music video multiverse)
18:45 — Jack Antonoff vs. Aaron Dessner moments
24:00 — What songs grew on us most
27:45 — Should TTPD have been nominated for AOTY?
31:30 — Cut one track from the album
34:30 — Best/Worst/Fave picks
39:30 — Final thoughts: what’s stuck with us after a year
LISTENER QUESTION:
What’s your Best/Worst/Fav song picks on The Tortured Poets Department? Has your opinion changed in the past year?
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Lana Del Rey, Lady Gaga, Charli XCX, and Bon Iver—oh my. This week on Live From Mars, Alex (aka Mars, aka @vinylbymars) dives into the biggest moments from Coachella 2025 and the best of New Music Friday. From Lana’s orchestral country pivot to Gaga’s career-defining headlining set, it’s a full-on pop culture breakdown you don’t want to miss.
In this episode:
• Lana Del Rey’s “Henry, come on” — a sweeping, poetic Americana ballad and the mysterious unraveling of her next album.
• Bon Iver returns with SABLE, fABLE — a two-part album that blends indie folk with R&B, and is a worthwhile return to the Bon Iver we all fell in love with.
• Lady Gaga’s Coachella set stuns the world — theatrical, gothic, unhinged in the best way. Is this her best performance in over a decade?
• Charli XCX brings Brat to the desert with surprise guests Billie Eilish, Lorde, and Troye Sivan — and ends her set with a powerful, vulnerable message.
• Plus, underrated song picks from Humble the Great, Talia Rae, and a Crux check-in with Djo.
If you’re a pop fan, festival lover, or just here for the cultural tea, this is your recap of the week!
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction to Live from Mars and Coachella Highlights
00:57 - New Music Friday: Lana Del Rey’s “Henry, come on”
06:55 - Bon Iver’s Return: SABLE, fABLE Review
10:30 - Coachella Highlights: Lady Gaga & Charli XCX
13:04 - Lady Gaga’s Career-Best Performance?
20:32 - Charli XCX’s Raw Minimalist Power
Next week: A special Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department anniversary episode is coming, and Alex wants your voice memos. Got a hot take or burning question? Email vinylbymars@gmail.com and be part of the show.
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This week’s Live From Mars is packed! Alex (aka Mars, aka @vinylbymars on TikTok and Instagram) dives into the latest New Music Friday releases, breaks down the perfect release timing for a potential Song of the Summer, and answers your AMA questions in celebration of hitting 100,000 followers on TikTok!
Whether you're here for chart talk, new releases, or getting to know Alex better, this episode is your one-stop shop for all things pop.
00:00 - Introduction
01:58 - Record Store Day Tips & Tricks
05:27 - When to Release a Song of the Summer Contender
10:31 - Miley Cyrus' "Something Beautiful"
15:23 - Ed Sheeran's "Azizam"
18:12 - Djo's "The Crux"
21:15 - Ask Mars Anything
26:01 - The State of VinylTok in 2025
29:00 - Two No-Skip Albums
34:08 - Taylor Swift's 2025 Releases
Chime in! What’s your pick for 2025’s song of the summer? What are you planning to grab on Record Store Day? Drop a comment and let Alex know.
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We did it — 100,000 followers on TikTok. A huge milestone, a huge thank you, and a huge episode to match.
This week on Live From Mars, Alex reflects on the journey from faceless vinyl recs to full-blown music commentary, the wildness of hitting six figures in followers, and what’s coming next for the show (spoiler: it’s an AMA — so send those questions in!).
Then we dive into a chart update packed with surprises — including a historic week for Kendrick & SZA, massive first-week numbers for Playboi Carti, and unexpected success from Gaga and Chappell Roan.
But the real star of the episode? Ariana Grande’s Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead. With five brand-new songs and one extended version, this release just might solidify Eternal Sunshine as the best album of her career. From “Twilight Zone” to “Dandelion,” Alex unpacks every moment — vocally, emotionally, and sonically.
In this episode, we cover:
📲 Follow me for more:
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@vinylbymars
Instagram: www.instagram.com/vinylbymars
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/abm0896
💬 Drop your AMA questions via IG poll, broadcast channel, or comments!
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In this episode of Live from Mars, I’m breaking down the biggest stories in pop this week — from Kendrick Lamar dominating the charts to Lady Gaga’s Mayhem debuting at No. 1. But the spotlight is on Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco’s new album I Said I Love You First, and we’ve got a lot to unpack.
We explore:
• Billboard Chart Highlights – Why Kendrick is the name all over the Hot 100 and how Gaga just tied Janet Jackson for most No. 1 albums.
• Mayhem by Lady Gaga – A breakdown of the album’s chart success, the Grammy conversation, and why “Abracadabra” might be her ticket to Record and Song of the Year nominations.
• New Music Friday Picks – Jack Harlow & Doja Cat, Jonas Brothers, and Jon Bellion — the tracks worth your time.
• Selena & Benny’s Joint Album – A deep dive into I Said I Love You First: the love story, vocal production issues, and whether it lives up to the hype.
• Top Tracks from the Album – Why “Bluest Flame” and “Don’t Wanna Cry” are the standouts and what Charli XCX’s involvement adds to the mix.
• The Vision Debate – Why this album plays it a little too safe and what it tells us about Selena’s current artistic confidence.
• What’s Next in Pop – Ariana Grande’s Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead and the rising buzz around Miley Cyrus’ Something Beautiful.
From personal milestones to massive releases, we’re diving into it all. Is I Said I Love You First a step forward for Selena Gomez? Or is she still playing it too safe? Let’s get into it.
💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments! Did I Said I Love You First surprise you — or were the singles a red flag?
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